Did you know that medications can cause imbalances in the oral environment that lead to problems with your teeth?
With a large number of Australians regularly taking some form of medication, it is important to understand the potential damage they can cause on your teeth and how you can best manage it.
Some prescribed medications can cause tooth erosion (the gradual wearing away of the outer enamel layer of your teeth) either because they are in themselves acidic or because they cause a dry mouth which means that your natural defence against acid attack (saliva) is compromised. These include:
- Chewable vitamin tablets
- Antacids
- Anti-allergy medications
- Frequent use of aspirin
- Liquid iron supplements
- Certain asthma and cough medications
- Cardiovascular medications (diuretics, calcium channel blockers)
- Some antidepressants and antipsychotics
- Sedatives
- Central analgesics
- Anti-Parkinson’s disease medications
This list is not exhaustive so be sure to ask your dentist to advise you if a drug you are taking could cause dental problems and how to manage that.
Source: www.dentalhealthweek.com.au
